West Chester breaks into national poll

WEST GOSHEN – For the first time in more than three years, the West Chester football program is nationally ranked.

Fresh off a 37-34 road upset of then-No. 6 California (Pa.) on Saturday, the Golden Rams cracked the Top 25 of D2Football.com’s media poll this week. West Chester (4-1 overall) is undefeated against Division II opposition, is riding a four-game winning streak, and take a No. 24 ranking into Saturday’s third straight road game against PSAC East foe East Stroudsburg.

“Everybody on this team believes,” said senior safety John O’Donnell. “We have very good team chemistry this year.”

Coming off a 9-12 combined record in 2010-11, the 2012 Rams boast several individuals who rank among the nation’s best, including junior runner Rondell White and quarterback Mike Mattei. White ranks 11th in NCAA Division II with 176.8 all-purpose yards per game, and also ranks 13th in the nation in rushing, averaging 132.6 yards per game. Mattei ranks sixth in the country in passing efficiency with a rating of 174.63, which is also second in the PSAC.

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West Chester’s new 4-3 defensive scheme is 19th nationally and fourth in the PSAC after five weeks. Sophomore linebacker Ronell Williams ranks tied for 22nd in all Division II with three interceptions, and he is tied for 57th in the nation in tackles, averaging 9.4 stops per contest.

D2Football.com Top 25 Poll

Team (Record) Last Week

1 Pittsburg State (4-0) 1

2 Grand Valley (5-0) 3

3 CSU-Pueblo (5-0) 4

4 Missouri Western (5-0) 5

5 Minnesota State (5-0) 7

6 Winston-Salem (5-0) 8

7 New Haven (5-0) 9

8 West Alabama (4-1) 10

9 Northwest Missouri (4-1) 11

10 Bloomsburg (5-0) 12

11 Minnesota Duluth (4-1) 2

12 Hillsdale (4-1) 13

13 West Texas A&M (4-1) 15

14 Midwestern State (3-1) 14

15 California, Pa. (4-1) 6

16 Saginaw Valley (4-1) 17

17 Central Missouri (4-1) 18

18 Ashland (5-0) 19

19 Ouachita Baptist (4-0) 20

20 Shippensburg (5-0) 21

21 Indiana, Pa. (4-1) 23

22 Washburn (4-1) 24

23 Sioux Falls (5-0) 25

24 West Chester (4-1) NR

25 Henderson State (5-0) NR

KELLY DEVEOPING INTO VALUABLE WIDEOUT

There have been plenty of heroic efforts so far this season for the Rams, but the one that may be the most surprising is that of senior receiver Jim Kelly.

Heading into this season, the Norristown native appeared in just 13 games and had just three career receptions. But the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder currently leads WCU with 329 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. In addition, Kelly leads all wideouts with 19 receptions, and has also thrown a TD pass. And he’s accomplished nearly all of it in the last three games.

“Six TDs in three games is pretty amazing,” said West Chester head coach Bill Zwaan. “We lost (wideout) Tim Keyser, who is a pretty good football player, and Jimmy just stepped right in. He is a senior, he hasn’t had much of a chance until recently, and now he is making the most of it.

“I am so excited for him, but also for us because he is doing it and we need it. He’s worked so hard and he deserves it.”

With the injured Keyser missing the last two outings and the other starter, LaRonn Lee, sitting out one game, Kelly has been getting much more playing time. In the season’s first two games, he has two catches for 11 yards and no touchdowns. But in Week Three against Millersville, he snagged four passed for 95 yards and a couple scores. And in road games at Kutztown and Cal. (Pa.), Kelly has a combined 13 catches for 223 yards and 3 TDs.

“Every game is just a blast for me,” Kelly said. “We’ve had some guys down, but it’s provided an opportunity for me. I’ve practiced hard every day and am confident I can help the team.”